NewJeans followers are nonetheless processing the surprising information: Danielle is formally out of the group after ADOR terminated her unique contract on December 29 — an explosive finish to an almost two-year lengthy battle that divided the group, their label and the Okay-pop business at giant. Right here’s how every little thing unraveled behind the scenes and why Danielle turned the one member eliminated.
The place It All Started
Every little thing modified for NewJeans — one of the profitable Okay-pop teams since BTS — when HYBE all of a sudden launched an audit into ADOR on April 22, 2024, accusing CEO Min Hee-jin of secretly attempting to take management of the label and pull NewJeans away to go unbiased. In accordance with HYBE, Min had tried to safe full possession of the group — a declare that despatched shockwaves by the Okay-pop business and instantly put NewJeans’ future beneath a microscope.
Min pushed again simply as exhausting. She denied any takeover plot and fired again that HYBE was retaliating as a result of she’d known as out BELIFT LAB — one other HYBE subsidiary — for allegedly permitting their new lady group ILLIT to repeat signature NewJeans components, from styling and visuals to choreography and total idea.
That conflict set the tone:
HYBE mentioned Min was attempting to steal NewJeans.
Min mentioned HYBE was attempting to silence her.
From there, the lawsuits started — and NewJeans turned caught within the center, unable to maneuver ahead because the adults within the room went to battle.
Makes an attempt at Reconciliation
The Seoul Central District Courtroom issued its ruling in ADOR’s contract validity lawsuit, handing the company an entire victory on October 30, 2025. The next month, ADOR says it spent weeks in “in depth discussions” with Minji, Hanni and Danielle — alongside their households — to clear up “distorted and biased info” and mend the connection.
These talks paid off for some. On December 29, ADOR revealed Hanni had returned after “reflecting on previous occasions” and selecting to “respect the courtroom’s ruling.”
Minji, in the meantime, remains to be in discussions with no timeline set.
However for Danielle? Issues went in a really totally different route.
Danielle’s Contract Terminated
On December 29, ADOR confirmed Danielle’s unique contract had been terminated, stating:
“In Danielle’s case, we decided that it could be troublesome to proceed collectively as a NewJeans member and an ADOR artist, and at the moment we notified her of the termination of her unique contract.”
ADOR additionally introduced plans for authorized motion towards each a member of Danielle’s household and Min Hee-jin, claiming they “bear important duty for inflicting this dispute and for NewJeans’ departure and delayed return.”
SPOTV Information studies the corporate filed a lawsuit towards Danielle that very same day, in search of monetary penalties and damages for alleged breach of contract.
Whereas ADOR has not given full particulars, a number of elements seem key as to why ADOR went after Danielle, particularly:
- Her sturdy loyalty to Min Hee-jin, which followers noticed play out publicly
- Her household’s alleged opposition to ADOR, not like different members’ households
- Reported violations of her ADOR contract, together with exterior actions with out approval
Finally, ADOR might have determined persevering with collectively would solely lengthen the battle — and Danielle turned the road they selected to not cross.
What’s Subsequent for NewJeans?
As of now:
- Haerin, Hyein and Hanni have returned
- Minji remains to be in talks
- Danielle is out — and going through authorized motion
Whether or not NewJeans strikes ahead as 4 or three stays unsure, however one factor is obvious: Danielle’s removing is essentially the most dramatic end result but within the dispute that shook the Okay-pop world — and a stark reminder of the facility businesses maintain over idols, even years after debut.
